A Walk in the Woods

Through the course of the last couple weeks, our Literature and the Environment class has been talking about the works of important nature writers and have also been reading A Walk in the Woods. In A Walk in the Woods, Bryson hiked the Appalachian Trail. The book inspired our walk in the woods. To fully experience being “lost in nature”, our professor planned a trip to the Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our class was encouraged to wander the trails in pairs or solo to fully experience the class period to be immersed in nature. It was a perfect afternoon, complete with above average temperatures for this time of year in Michigan. 

A walk in the woods is what I needed. A chance to escape the “on-the-go” feeling of the world. A chance to walk a little slower and open my eyes a little more to full appreciate the world around me. The time allotted did not seem like it was enough time to give the nature center justice. However, in a stressed-college life, it was important enjoy the smell of something other than stale textbooks and the smell of a freshly printed paper. A walk in the woods is sometimes all we humans need, a chance to disconnect and recharge ourselves before heading back into the nose to the pavement society. So please, walk in the woods and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. 

A doughnut and cider is essential for after a walk in the woods. Wonder if Bryson had one after he was done?